Demian

Reading Hermann Hesse is like having a religious experience. Hesse is as close to an incarnation of god and enlightenment as anything on this earth has ever been, I think. Sorry, Jesus/Mohammad/Dalai Lama/Buddha/whoever else there is that would be offended by such a statement (I doubt Buddha would be all that offended, though, that's why I like him). I don't mean to blaspheme, but Hermann Hesse is it.  I am more spiritually moved and inspired by his words than I have ever found myself by any religious text or sermon.

"I realize today that nothing in the world is more distasteful to a man than to take the path that leads to himself."